‘It’s a good thing Kathleen knows exactly how to deal with him… Of course she loves him, which helps considerably, and I could almost swear he’s getting fond of her. Last night he was as jealous as hell every time she as much as looked at another man.
‘If you weren’t there to…shall we say…complicate matters, I believe there’s a good chance that things might work out.’
Then to Keir she said, ‘What do you think?’
As though weighing up his words, he answered slowly, ‘I agree with you that Kathleen loves him. While she felt sorry for Sera, the help she gave me was by no means disinterested.
‘As to the other, obsessions don’t last for ever, and it’s not unknown for a man to marry his nurse…’
Just as he finished speaking, Roberto crossed the lawn and came striding over to them. ‘Have I absented myself long enough?’
‘Your timing is impeccable,’ Keir assured him.
Roberto went across to his wife and, stooping, touched his lips gently to hers. ‘Forgive me for being angry, carissima.’
They smiled at each other, their faces illuminated with the unmistakable look of love.
Her heart feeling as though it was being squeezed by a giant fist, Sera knew she would trade her soul if Keir would only look at her like that.
Turning to Sera, Roberto said, ‘My dear, I hope you don’t feel too bitter now you know the truth?’
‘I don’t feel at all bitter,’ she assured him. And it was true. The only thing she could feel at that moment was a newborn, but growing, sense of relief.
Wanting to set Cheryl’s mind completely at rest, she added, ‘If I’d been lucky enough to have had a brother, I might have done the same.’
His smile warm, Roberto suggested, ‘Shall we have some tea?’ Then to Keir he said, ‘Or maybe you’d prefer a beer?’
After an assessing glance at Sera, Keir answered, ‘Neither, thanks. We ought to be getting along.’ He got up and, stretching out a lean, well-shaped hand, helped her to her feet.
Cheryl rose too and, without hesitation, the women hugged each other.
When Roberto had lifted Sera’s hand to his lips and clapped Keir on the shoulder, they all turned to walk to the car together.
As though realizing that Sera’s knees felt like warm jelly, Keir cupped a hand beneath her elbow. Even so, she was pleased to reach the car and sink into the front passenger seat.
A moment later they were moving down the drive, while Cheryl and Roberto, standing arm in arm, waved them off.
‘Where to?’ Keir queried evenly as they reached the main road.
Then, as though striving to be impartial, to make the final decision hers and hers alone, he asked, ‘Before you talk to Rothwell, would you like to go somewhere quiet for an hour or so to think things through?’
But her mind made up, she said without hesitation, ‘No, I don’t need any more time to think. I’d like to go straight back to Pine Cove.’
She saw his lean fingers tighten on the wheel, but rather to her surprise he didn’t ask her what she’d decided to do when she got there. All he said was, ‘Very well. If you’re sure.’
‘I’m sure.’
She needed to face things, to get it over, though the thought of what lay ahead made her nerves jangle and her stomach churn sickeningly.
By the time they reached Pine Cove, some fifteen minutes later, she felt even worse, if that were possible.
Without a word, Keir drove through the main entrance and parked in front of the house, making it plain that he had no intention of trying to hide his presence.
There was no one about and Sera felt sure that, on such a lovely day, everyone would be gathered around the pool.
If Martin was there too, it could be extremely awkward. She guessed that by this time, in spite of all Kathleen’s efforts, he would have worked himself up into a fine old rage. And she knew only too well that, if he was really furious, he wouldn’t hesitate to lash out at her verbally, no matter who was present…
Looking at her pale, tense face, Keir suggested, ‘Would you like me to talk to him?’
She shook her head. No matter how much she dreaded it, this was something she had to do herself.
Abruptly, as though the question had been forced out of him, Keir asked, ‘What do you intend to do?’
His intervention, his determination to get at the truth, had succeeded in ‘opening the cage door’. Now it seemed he was satisfied to leave it to her whether she left the cage or remained inside.
As soon as the thought was formed she felt certain it wasn’t so. Somehow she knew he wouldn’t rest until she had walked free. But whether it was for her sake or his own, she was no longer sure.
Whichever, she could only be grateful.
Realizing he was still waiting for her answer, she said steadily, ‘I intend to give him back his ring.’
His voice urgent, Keir pressed, ‘No matter what he says, you won’t change your mind?’
‘No, I won’t change my mind.’
The build up of tension in his big frame relaxed and, just for an instant, she got a glimpse of how relieved he was, before his expression was schooled into an impassive mask.
Jumping out of the car, he came round to open her door and, with the calm assurance of a man who owned the place, took her elbow and escorted her through the open French windows into the living-room.
Saunders, the head manservant, appeared as if by magic, giving credence to Martin’s boast that his staff were always on the ball.
‘Ah, it’s you, miss. The master has been asking for you rather urgently.’
‘Do you happen to know where he is, Saunders?’
‘I understand he’s resting in his suite, miss.’
‘Thank you.’ Sera smiled her relief.
For everyone’s sake she would far sooner speak to him there, where there was no chance of any of the guests overhearing.
For a moment, knowing that Keir’s presence would only infuriate Martin, she played with the idea of telling him she wanted to go in alone.
But there was a sense of purpose about him that warned her she would be wasting her time. Having got this far he intended to see things through.
With him by her side, she led the way to Martin’s suite and knocked on the door.
After a few seconds it was opened by Kathleen who cried softly, ‘You’re back! The good Lord be praised! Himself is out on the terrace.’
She sounded like her usual self, but her violet eyes held a look of uncertainty which changed to relief when she saw Keir.
‘How are things?’ he asked.
‘Haven’t I been doing my best to calm him since lunch-time? But without too much success, I’m afraid. He’s worked Himself up into a right paddy.’
‘Who the devil is it?’ Martin called. His voice sounded harsh and irritable. ‘I don’t want to see anyone.’
‘He wouldn’t be expecting you to knock,’ Kathleen pointed out quietly as she stood aside to let them both into the study.
While Keir paused to have a quick word in Kathleen’s ear, Sera squared her shoulders and headed for the terrace.
CHAPTER TEN
AS SHE reached the French windows, Martin swivelled his chair. The instant he saw her, his fair face flushed with a combination of relief and anger.
‘Where the devil have you been?’ he demanded as she approached. ‘I’ve been worried to death all day.’
‘I’d take that with a pinch of salt if I were you,’ Kathleen advised cheerfully as she came out to join them. ‘Himself didn’t get up until lunch-time.’
Giving her an impatient look, Martin turned on Sera. ‘You haven’t answered me… Where have you been?’
‘Sera’s been with me,’ Keir stated calmly.
Looking up, startled, Martin exploded, ‘What the hell are you doing back here? Didn’t I make it clear you’re not welcome? Why don’t you stop hanging around Sera?’
Lounging in the doorway, Keir lifted a dark brow. ‘If y
ou tell me which question you’d like answering first, I’ll try to oblige.’
‘Don’t bother answering any of them. Just get out!’
‘It’s only fair to warn you that when I go, Sera goes with me.’
Martin’s smile held a kind of triumphant certainty. ‘Sera won’t leave me.’
‘Don’t bet on it.’
‘Surely you got the message last night?’ Martin taunted. ‘She may be a deceitful little cow who’s willing to sneak off behind my back but, when it comes to the crunch, she’ll stay with me.’
He held out a peremptory hand to Sera. ‘Come here.’
‘I think you’ll find she’s through with taking orders,’ Keir said quietly.
‘Will you mind your own damn business?’ Martin snarled. ‘Sera…?’
‘I’m sorry, Martin…’ her voice was gentle ‘…but Keir’s right.’
She watched him take the blow and ride it.
‘Very well,’ he agreed quickly. ‘No more orders. But you won’t leave me. We’re going to be married.’
‘I’m sorry,’ she said again. ‘I can’t marry you. I should never have agreed to in the first place…’
As his face turned even redder, she hurried on, ‘I’m fond of you, but I don’t love you. I wanted to love you. I tried to love you… But love doesn’t work like that.’
‘There’s no one else, is there…?’
Martin darted a malevolent look to where Keir had been standing in the background, but both he and Kathleen had gone back into the study.
‘You’re not going to tell me you love Sutherlands?’ It was almost a plea.
For a moment she wondered whether to tell him the truth, then decided against it. To admit that she loved his rival wouldn’t help. It would only add insult to injury.
Choosing her words with care, she said, ‘No, I’m not.’
‘Then, even if you don’t love me, we can still make a go of it. You did say you were fond of me.’
‘Fondness isn’t enough. It just wouldn’t work. You think you want me now but, in the long run, neither of us would be happy.’
‘How can you leave me now I’m crippled!’
‘You won’t be crippled.’
‘A fat lot you care if I am. Only last night you promised you wouldn’t leave me.’
‘That was when I still thought I was responsible for the accident…’
All the colour drained from his face, leaving it a pasty grey.
‘I suppose in a way I’m still partly responsible,’ she went on determinedly. ‘If I hadn’t given you back your ring, you wouldn’t have driven off in such a fury…’
She found herself quoting Keir’s words. ‘We each have to be responsible for our own actions…’
‘So you know,’ he said thickly. ‘How do you know?’
‘I remembered,’ Sera lied hardily. ‘I’m sorry, truly sorry, for all the pain I’ve caused you. I never meant to hurt you.’
‘But I love you.’
‘I don’t believe you love me. I’m sure that what you feel for me is only an obsession… And no one can be responsible for someone else’s obsession…’ Once again she was unconsciously quoting.
With a feeling of release, she slid the ring from her finger and handed it to him.
This time he took it and, as he sat staring down at the glittering thing, she added gently, ‘Love lasts, but obsessions don’t… You’ll soon be free of me and then I hope you’ll be able to look for real happiness.’
He made one last desperate attempt. ‘If you leave me you won’t have a thing. No money, no job, no place to live…’
‘But I can get a job and find somewhere to live and I’ll have my freedom. In the end that’s what matters most.
‘Goodbye, Martin. I hope you can forgive me for not loving you.’
Head down, he didn’t answer.
Though she knew she was doing the right thing, the only thing, she still felt like an executioner.
Turning blindly away, she stumbled through the French windows and into the study which, after the brightness of the terrace, seemed cool and dim.
Seeing her chalk-white face, Keir stepped forward and put a supportive arm round her waist. ‘Ready to go?’
Taking a deep breath, she said steadily, ‘Yes, I’m ready.’
‘What about your things?’ Kathleen asked with her usual practicality.
Keir made the decision. ‘Can you arrange to have them packed up and sent to the Penthouse?’
‘Of course.’
Sera gave the other woman a quick, impulsive hug. ‘Thank you for everything. You’ll take care of Martin, won’t you?’
‘Yes, I’ll take care of him.’ Kathleen promised.
Like a walking zombie, Sera allowed herself to be led outside and helped into the car. As she fumbled to fasten her seat belt, Keir slid in beside her and, reaching over, made certain it was secure.
A few minutes later they were leaving Pine Cove behind them and heading back to New York in the warm sunshine of a busy Sunday afternoon.
Leaning her head against the luxurious upholstery, Sera closed her eyes. It seemed an age since Thursday… Had it been only Thursday that Keir had erupted back into her life?
Since that unexpected meeting in the Park, so much had happened… He had lifted a burden of guilt almost too heavy to bear, changed her future, given her precious freedom…
But to do what?
Having just freed herself from one man’s obsession, did she really want to stay with another man who had admitted that he was merely obsessed with her?
Yet, even as she made the comparison, she knew it wasn’t a fair one. There was an overwhelming difference. Martin had found ways to keep her against her will. Keir, she was absolutely certain, would never do that. If he knew she didn’t want to stay with him, he would let her go.
But she did want to stay with him. She loved him. She wanted to be with him while ever he wanted her.
Though how long would that be? As Keir himself had pointed out, obsessions didn’t last…
Astride the seesaw of uncertainty, she sighed deeply. Just now, she was too weary to think straight or make any decisions…
All the emotional upheaval of the last four days had taken its toll and, utterly spent, all she could do for the moment was be thankful for Keir’s help, and lean on his strength…
When Sera stirred and opened her eyes, they were drawing into an underground car park. Recognizing it as belonging to the Warburton Building, and recalling little of the journey, she knew she must have dozed on and off for the best part of three hours.
Somehow, while she had slept, all her uncertainty had vanished. She had come to a decision and, serenely confident now, she knew she was going to grab whatever chance of happiness there was, however brief it might turn out to be.
Slanting her a glance, Keir asked, ‘Feeling any better?’
‘Much better.’ She smiled at him.
Without returning her smile, he came round to open her door and help her out.
His parking bay was right by the elevator. He used his special key and, in a matter of seconds, they were moving smoothly upwards.
Though she had been inside the Penthouse only once, and briefly, it seemed oddly familiar, even welcoming. She felt more at home there than she had ever done in Martin’s apartment.
Or was that simply because Keir was there with her?
His voice coolly polite, he told her, ‘There’s a guest bedroom you can use for the time being.’
Remembering the ardent lover of the previous night, she had presumed he would expect her to share his bed.
She felt a sudden surge of disappointment, a regret that told her quite plainly that, subconsciously at least, she had been looking forward eagerly to the coming night.
Opening a door to the left, he carried the tote bag inside. ‘I use the services here, so the bed’s made up and everything’s ready.’
He sounded as if he was trying to make civil conversation
with a not particularly welcome guest.
‘Do you want to stay home for dinner?’ he added. ‘Or would you prefer to eat out?’
Despite her long sleep, she still felt tired, unwilling to make the effort that going out would entail. But, wondering if he wanted to, she said cautiously, ‘I don’t really mind. I’ll leave it to you.’
After studying her face, the lingering paleness, the faint shadows beneath her beautiful eyes, he said, ‘There’s plenty of food in the fridge. I’ll throw something together while you freshen up.’
As she showered, she wondered about Keir’s coolness. Last night he had been passionate and demanding, a man who had finally got what he wanted and had every intention of keeping it.
Since the morning, however, his manner towards her had altered. Though he had stayed by her side and had taken care of her, that possessive warmth had vanished. He’d been detached, withdrawn, as though he was deliberately keeping his distance.
But knowing how scrupulous he could be when it came to relationships, she guessed that it was almost certainly to give her a breathing space. Time to think.
Well, she needed no more time. Her mind was made up. At the very first opportunity she would tell him how she felt.
Her mood a confident one, she put on fresh undies and changed into the skirt and the second of the silk blouses that Keir had provided. Then, having brushed out her tangled hair and twisted it into a smooth knot, she made her way to the kitchen.
Though it appeared to have every up-to-date convenience, with a range of comfortable-looking furniture and bright wallpaper it lacked the clinical feel of a lot of modern kitchens.
Several of the sliding glass panels which led to the terrace were standing open and the air coming in was warm and humid.
A tea towel knotted around his lean hips, Keir was tossing salad in a big glass bowl while, beneath the grill, a couple of steaks sizzled. The table had been set and a bottle of wine had been opened to breathe.
He’d also found time to shower and shave and change into stone-coloured trousers and a white shirt that, open at the neck, showed the tanned column of his throat. He looked up at her entrance but, again, he failed to return her smile.
The Determined Husband Page 15